‘Defund the Police’ LA City Council member requests LAPD for EXTRA patrols around his office after his car broke down and was left in the lot overnight
- Hugo Soto-Martinez, a union activist and member of the Democratic Socialist Party, was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in December
- He advocated a platform to abolish the LAPD and “replace it with something that focuses on the real causes of crime.”
- On Thursday, a Soto-Martinez employee called LAPD to request protection for his broken-down car: Soto-Martinez said he was upset by her call
A newly elected Los Angeles city councilman who had campaigned to abolish the police turned red in the face after an employee called the LAPD to request protection for his broken-down car.
Hugo Soto-Martinez, a union activist and member of the Democratic Socialist Party, was elected in December.
Soto-Martinez fought “armed militias occupying our neighborhoods” and said the existing police system is “completely corrupt, immoral and needs to be drastically changed”.
Just before 10 p.m. Thursday night, a member of his team called the LAPD asking for help after Soto-Martinez’s white Lexus broke down.
Hugo Soto-Martinez’s office said the newly elected councilor was “very upset” that a member of his team called the LAPD to protect his broken-down car
Soto-Martinez employees called for an “extra patrol” for the expensive car
“Additional all-night patrol for parked white Lexus owned by council member,” the LAPD request reads.
‘Vehicle broken.’
Angelenos immediately seized on the irony, noting that Soto-Martinez had fought on a platform to abolish the LAPD.
On a candidate questionnaire, he ticked yes to defunding the police, removing police from schools, and defunding the California Highway Patrol.
“When I say I consider myself an abolitionist, I want to make it clear that I believe in the ultimate goal of abolishing the current policing system and replacing it with something that focuses on the root causes of crime,” he wrote in the questionnaire .
“In short, I believe in taking care of our communities rather than violently oppressing our neighbors.”
He advocated redistribution of existing funds, noting that “there are also ways to tie redistribution of police funds to other public sector unions”.
Soto-Martinez’s white Lexus is parked in front of the offices
In a candidate questionnaire, Soto-Martinez confirmed that he wanted to defund and eventually abolish the police force
“Until we’ve properly funded the things that actually stop crime, there are a few steps we can take to keep armed officers off all calls that don’t pose an immediate gun threat, rather than spending all our money targeting men with guns on social.” problems throwing violence.
“The current system is totally corrupt, immoral and needs to be drastically changed.
“Police officers are trained to be warriors and take to the streets to deal with issues that should be the preserve of social workers.”
Soto-Martinez, when asked about the request, was furious.
“We have heard that an assistant employee has been in contact with the LAPD about his personal vehicle,” a spokesman told Fox 11.
“We are investigating this matter internally and will take appropriate action.
“Councillor Soto-Martinez is very upset as this does not reflect the values of transparency, good governance and accountability to the community that elected him.”